Chinese media are expressing concern over the military exercises South Korea held in Pocheon near the inter-Korean border on Thursday.

The China Youth Daily said that South Korea is raising tensions with its series of massive military drills and that Seoul’s military and political hard-line stance against North Korea is escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The daily said that even some South Korean media are criticizing Seoul for the military drills.

The state-run China Daily said that tension eased following South Korea’s live-fire drills on Yeonpyeong Island earlier in the week, as North Korea did not fire retaliatory shots.